Conclusions on the Treatment of Public Services in EU Trade and Investment Agreements

Abstract

This final chapter brings together the separate strands of the book while casting an eye forward to possible future developments. The chapter is structured in two parts. The first part looks backward by summarising the key findings of the book and draws some general conclusions. In its second part, the chapter turns its gaze forwards to consider how the treatment of public services in EU international trade and investment agreements may develop in the future. Acknowledging this debate is far from over; the chapter suggests the accommodation of public services by EU trade and investment agreements could be enhanced through several modifications.